ALPHABET FISHING

Today I want to share an activity that can grow with your toddler and preschool kids through a few stages or you can use with siblings of close ages.

This is a simple activity to make.
1. First you want to find some study paper such a card stock or heavy construction paper.

2. Next create a fish template (keep it simple) and trace it out on your colored paper.  To save yourself some work cut more than one fish at a time by tracing the top layer and cutting several at a time.  Use a variety of colors to keep it interesting for the kids and to allow you to vary the game a little.  You will need to cut out 26 fish.

3. Once all of the fish are cut out, neatly write the uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet on the letters.  Remember to keep the print large and clear so your youngest learners with recognize the letters.

4.  Next, add 2-4 staples close together on the end of your fish (either end, it doesn't matter).

5.  Finally, attach a magnet to a string of appropriate length for your child.  I found magnets at the local craft store with a hole in the center which made it simple to attach it to the string.  If you want to go one step further you can attach it to a wooden dowel with an eye screw but beware this could end up being a weapon without proper warnings and supervision of the child/children.

TIME TO PLAY
Here are a few ideas from the simplest to the more complex:

Catch a Fish:  Scatter the fish in a small area of the floor or for more fun you can use a dry baby pool.  For your youngest they will simply be working on the motor control to lower the string/magnet down to a fish and stead the string enough to catch the magnet to a fish. (skill: motor control)

Catch that Color: As your tot starts learning colors you can vary the game by directing them to find a certain color or once they have caught the color have them tell you what it is. (skill: color recognition)

Catch that Letter: Follow the same game idea but this time ask your little learner to find a certain letter or have them free fish but tell you the name of the letter once they "hook" it. (skill: letter recognition)

Name that Sound: Once again they follow the same format but once they catch the fish and identify the letter they can tell you the sound it makes.(skill: letter sounds)

Name a Word: This time your little genius will tell you the letter, its sound and a word that starts with that letter. (skill: connecting letter sounds to words)

Counting Fish:  Not a separate game but an add on to any of the others.  Have your little one count the fish they have in their "caught" pile. (skill: basic counting 1-26)

If you have other ideas I would love to hear about them.  Share your thoughts in the comment section.